Need some wood?

The NY Times has an article about inclusion of drugs like Viagra and Cialis in the Medicare drug boondoggle, I mean benefit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/22/politics/22medicare.html

The exclusion of these drugs from Medicare will probably have bipartisan support (in spite of big pharma's carte blanche in Congress).

Representative James P. Moran, Democrat of Virginia, a co-sponsor, said: "Here we are using money that could go to cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses and diverting it into the sex performance of men over 65. It's a scandal."

The most frightening aspect is that the VA already covers ED pills.

Veterans received 1.9 million prescriptions for Viagra through the V.A. health care system last year.

It disgusts me that we are wasting money on erections while 40 million people are without health insurance.  Anyone want to speak in favor of money for wood?

•  I wood rather they

  used it on something else.

  by nargel on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 09:06:57 PM PDT

•  as good as any anti-depressant for the seniors

  I vote yes for inclusion.

  --

  by furiousxgeorge on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 09:08:24 PM PDT

•  While the thought of some horny grandpa

  mounting his unfortunate, unenthusiastic wife for the twenty-third time in a row grosses me the hell out, the issue for me is this:

  Poor people with erectile dysfunction should be able to have normal, healthy sex too.  I mean, I'm willing to spend a few tax dollars for the truly 'less fortunate' guy.

  Right?  Or am I missing something?

  by obietom on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 09:32:29 PM PDT

  •  True

    OTOH, Viagra, Cialis, etc. interact with other commonly-prescribed medications and are generally contraindicated for many men with heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, or gastritis/ulcers.  

    How many guys over 65 do you know who wouldn't fit in somewhere on that list?  The over-65 doctors I know wouldn't take these drugs on a bet.

    This sounds to me like the ideal strategy to profit Big Pharma while thinning the ranks of Medicare recipients.  

    by moiv on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 09:50:30 PM PDT